Lindsey Halligan, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, has left her post as an interim federal prosecutor in eastern Virginia. Halligan's departure follows a controversial tenure that saw the dismissal of Justice Department cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Halligan, who previously served as a senior White House aide, was appointed to the position by then-President Trump on Sept. 21, 2025. Her appointment came one day after Erik Siebert, the district's former acting U.S. attorney, resigned under pressure from Trump. Sources indicate that Trump had repeatedly called for criminal charges against James, Comey, and others he considered political adversaries.

Federal judges had previously questioned Halligan's authority, with some stating she had no valid basis to identify herself as the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District. The case against Comey, specifically, faced scrutiny due to Halligan's involvement.

The circumstances surrounding the dismissed cases against Comey and James remain a point of contention. Supporters of the dismissals argue that the cases were politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence. Critics, however, contend that Halligan's actions were an abuse of power and undermined the integrity of the Justice Department.

As of January 21, 2026, no immediate successor has been named to replace Halligan. The process for selecting a new U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia is expected to begin shortly, with the appointment requiring Senate confirmation.